Composer Lucas Oickle named 2022 Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient


By Fred Sgambati (’83, ’85)

To say that Acadia University’s Lucas Oickle (’13) has hit all the right notes during his career before and after graduation would be an understatement.

A gifted and talented composer and educator, Lucas obtained a Bachelor of Music from Acadia in 2013, studying with JUNO and East Coast Music Award-winning composers Dr. Derek Charke and Dinuk Wijeratne, and a Master’s of Music in Composition in 2015 from the University of British Columbia.

As an undergrad at Acadia, Lucas composed a dizzying array of more than 25 works during four short years of study and participated in the Gamelan Ensemble under the direction of Acadia School of Music instructor Ken Shorley. He composed an exciting piece for the ensemble that was workshopped and premiered in 2012, which Shorley characterized as “fresh, energetic and intriguing. This piece pays homage to traditional Sudanese music while forging a sound territory all its own.”

Shorley also engineered and produced a recording of a new work for cello and harp written by Lucas for India Gailey (’17), another dynamic Acadia graduate.

Since graduating from Acadia, Lucas has composed over 30 new works and had numerous commissions and performances by professional ensembles. His continued success as a composer has brought great pride to Acadia and is one of the reasons why he is the 2022 recipient of the Alumni Association’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

“It’s always gratifying to see students embrace their passion with verve and determination,” says Acadia Alumni Association President Donalda MacBeath (’75). “Lucas Oickle came to Acadia with impressive credentials and honed his talents tremendously during a wonderful undergraduate tenure, exploring his passion and developing his craft to a fine edge that has afforded him numerous awards and catapulted him to national and international acclaim. His incredible work ethic and humble nature represent the very best of what we hold dear in our alumni community. We are justifiably proud of all he has accomplished and delighted to acknowledge him as this year’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient.”

Charke writes in a letter supporting Oickle’s nomination that “I had the distinct pleasure of teaching Lucas during his undergraduate degree at Acadia University. You will not find a harder working, more honest, and genuinely enthusiastic person.” Charke notes also that Lucas has produced a staggering amount in a short period since leaving Acadia and has “my full endorsement for this award – without reservation.”

Outside of composing, Lucas is a certified English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instructor through the University of Toronto, specializing in teaching business English and test preparation courses. He has also served on the Board of Directors for Vancouver Pro Musica and Sound of Dragon Society.

Currently an associate composer at the Canadian Music Centre, Lucas now resides in the Kansai area of Japan with his wife, daughter and two cats.


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